Today’s cyber threats lurk behind every click, but they’re not kicking down your front door – they’re slipping in unnoticed, disguised as normal websites and appealing links. Businesses and individuals are fighting an invisible enemy that is always one step ahead. This elusive enemy makes it critical to adopt a pre-emptive cybersecurity posture to stop attacks before they begin, rather than responding after the damage is done.
At the heart of this strategy lies a critical but often overlooked battleground: the Domain Name System (DNS). Often referred to as the internet’s address book, DNS is the system that helps your computer find the right websites when you browse online. As such, securing the DNS is no longer just good hygiene – it’s a foundational requirement for defending against today’s most sophisticated cyber threats.
Two terms are often, mistakenly, used interchangeably – DNS protection and protective DNS. Despite how similar they sound, the two are fundamentally different strategies with very different outcomes. Understanding the difference isn’t just a technical detail; it’s a critical step in building a cyber defence strategy strong enough to hold up against complex, modern attacks.
Why DNS protection alone isn’t enough
DNS protection refers to securing the DNS infrastructure itself. It’s about ensuring that DNS systems stay secure and making sure they can’t be interfered with. The focus is on protecting the servers and traffic, so your internet experience remains safe, reliable, and private.
Protective DNS is different. Instead of just protecting the infrastructure, protective DNS leverages DNS as a tool to proactively defend against cyber threats. It prevents communication with malicious websites, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks at the source, making the network inherently more secure. It represents a shift toward pre-emptive cybersecurity, where threats are identified and blocked before any damage can be done.
In a modern-day battlefield, traditional DNS protection is like a knight armed with only a shield – only capable of blocking incoming attacks. Protective DNS, on the other hand, equips that knight with both a shield and a sword, providing the means to not only defend, but also take action against threats before they land a blow. It transforms DNS from a passive line of defense into an active force for prevention.
What does that mean for DNS? If the site you’re trying to reach is known to be linked to scams or viruses, protective DNS blocks you from getting there. Unlike traditional security measures that react after an attack, protective DNS works as an intelligent filter, analysing DNS queries and taking action to mitigate threats. It cuts off hackers before they even get close – blocking malicious domains at the source before the deceptive link is clicked.
A turning of the legislative tides
DNS has long been a blind spot in enterprise security strategies, but governments and regulators are beginning to close that gap. Agencies are increasingly recognising DNS not just as an infrastructure concern, but as a critical control point for cyber resilience.
The latest draft for the “Secure Domain Name System Deployment Guide” from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) marks a significant shift. For the first time since 2013, DNS security is now positioned as a foundational requirement for protecting modern networks – not just a peripheral issue tied to communications integrity. This signals that protective DNS is no longer an emerging best practice; it’s fast becoming a regulatory expectation.
In Southeast Asia, the push for better cyber governance is gaining momentum. The ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy has formally endorsed the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) as a regional benchmark, encouraging member states to align with its standards. Institutions like the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence are playing a central role, offering training and capacity-building programs to help organisations interpret and implement the NIST CSF effectively.
One of the simplest yet often overlooked ways to address this gap is DNSSEC: a protocol extension that validates DNS responses and protects against spoofing and cache poisoning. Crucially, it doesn’t require a complete DNS infrastructure overhaul, making it a cost-effective way to enhance resilience. That’s why the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) has flagged DNSSEC adoption as a key recommended measure.
No longer just a nice to have
As threats escalate and spur further cybersecurity legislation, organizations will need to demonstrate that they are actively preventing, detecting, and responding to threats. This won’t be possible without the adoption of protective DNS, which will soon be seen as a non-negotiable marker of due diligence.
The distinction between DNS protection and protective DNS has never been more important. As a key enabler of pre-emptive cybersecurity, protective DNS helps organisations identify and block threats at their earliest point of contact before any damage is done. It’s not just a layer of defense, it’s a strategic control point that enhances resilience across the entire security stack – and it could be the difference between a thwarted attempt and a costly breach.
Lee Anstiss is Regional Director, South East Asia & Korea, Infoblox.
TNGlobal INSIDER publishes contributions relevant to entrepreneurship and innovation. You may submit your own original or published contributions subject to editorial discretion.
Featured image: Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash
How startups can drive ethical, trust-based growth in emotionally sensitive sectors like education